👇 Read IC Resources CEO Neil Dickins’ insights on the challenges and opportunities in UK deep tech as we approach 2025. As well as a look back on 2024 and his personal highlights 👏
Founder - Intellectual Capital Resources, established 1999. Global technology recruitment specialists.
Well 2024 was certainly an eventful year. I’d say UK deep tech is at a crossroads. The opportunity and ‘potential energy’ stored up in the system is enormous, but certain self-imposed barriers stand in our way. Can government, which is doing some really great things in isolation, get its thinking together and help build the scaffolding we need to grow world-beating companies in the AI/photonics/quantum age? Specifically, will they recognise the need for world beating talent by reducing the visa costs and bureaucracy which are strangling growth? Will pensions allocate meaningful sums to stop the brain drain (and growth drain) created by US and overseas acquisitions? Can Europe (and yes I include the UK) come together to create a significant fund of funds? The period between 2025 and 2030 will undoubtedly be a dynamic one…but dynamism works in all directions. When one gets to a crossroads, the words of Robert Frost are apt: ‘I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference’. The last few months have been some of the most intense and rewarding of my life. Activities included helping the irrepressible Stew Edmondson (CEO) take UKESF.org to new heights, attending the UKESF week-long residential programme for the scholarship cohort (always a highlight of my year), and going to Malta for the excellent Silicon Catalyst / ChipStart EU event. I also directed my first pantomime with St Michaels Players in Chiswick, a theatre group which turned 75 this year. It was WAY more work than I ever imagined, but also, ultimately, WAY more rewarding. Oh yes it was. And in the midst of all that: I was sitting quietly (well as quietly as I ever get) at the Techworks awards, looking forward to clapping for the recipient of the Lifetime Contribution to Industry award, when I suddenly realised that the person Charlie (CEO) was talking about was me! To say that I was surprised, honoured and deeply touched is greatly understating the case. I never thought I’d have tears in my eyes at a Techworks event (except maybe after the odd tequila shot). To be recognised in such a way in front of 380 leading lights in the industry, many of whom I call friends and colleagues, was the greatest highlight (so far) of my 25 years in this ever-evolving, ever-exciting industry. In a future post I might waffle on a bit about how our founding philosophy led to such an accolade, but for now the Christmas tree lights are twinkling, the mince pies are waiting and the bags need packing for our annual trip up North (Ormskirk). We’re off to the bosom of my wife’s large family for another chaotic, game filled, prosecco and turkey fuelled Christmas (is there any meal better than turkey sandwiches on white bread on Boxing Day, ideally on a golf course that’s only slightly flooded?). Merry Christmas to all, and rock on 2025!